His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

out a bitter laugh,

"Of course she did.

day Sienna had brought me

and the roses

hives, my skin

stop scratching. Nathan hadn't believed me back then,

some new cosmetic that had

had sided with Sienna,

always.

face fell as

didn't know," he

didn't." My

Sienna told you. You've

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But Our

37

29

really,"

boNqNet, his knuckles white.

I didn't mean

I interrupted, my

"Get out of my house, Nathan, Or

call the police again."

widened, panic

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

there for a moment

would change my

didn't

bouquet of roses

in his hand. I

back down the steps,

as he was

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By Ow

99

against it, the weight of

me. The house was a mess,

broken, the remnants

lingering in

first time in a long time,

Just indifference.

Nathan as he lingered in my yard, looking lost, broken, and bleeding. The sight of him disgusted me more than anything. He was clutching that stupid

everything that

of all things. He still didn't

never had.

I

heat rising in my chest as I looked down at the

him I